I am a former model and current mother who loves the beauty and fashion industry and seeks the best products and value to keep myself current. I blog to share my thoughts, expertise and research with those who follow me. Those who read my blog gain insight into fashion, save money and avoid frustrations on the products they purchase.

Hi there! I am Kylee, a former model and current mother who loves the beauty and fashion industry and seeks the best products and value to keep myself current. I blog to share my thoughts, expertise and research with those who follow me. Those who read my blog gain insight into fashion, save money and avoid frustrations on the products they purchase. Learn more about me here!

What's worth the SAVE and what's worth the SPLURGE?! My most popular blog post!

The new year is a time to regroup, reenergize, and resolve to make a change. You may have one major goal in mind or a series of smaller ones. There may be new ideas to adopt or old habits to toss out. The truth is, if you’re craving more zen in your daily life, here are a few things to try.

4 Resolutions That Will Calm the Crazy This Year

1. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.

To quote Henry David Thoreau, the writer and philosopher who left his life behind and went to the woods to get back to simple living:

“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.”

Today, many of our affairs are a hundred or a thousand. We say yes to every favor, responsibility, and extra-curricular activity, skyrocketing our stress level and taking time away from the people and things that matter most.

This year, live by the mantra, simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. If this means saying no more than you say yes, do it. If it means missing spring soccer tryouts, that’s fine. You will be happier when your accounts fit on your thumb nail than on a mile-long to-do list.

2. Get rid of a bunch of stuff.

This year I am purging my home and my life of all the things that have accumulated over the years. I’ve found that “stuff” does not bring happiness, and on the contrary, too much of it invites turmoil.

When I can’t take two steps into my kids’ rooms because of excess toys scattered around, I get cranky. Cluttered closets and bursting junk drawers make me feel just as disorderly on the inside as things are on the outside. This year I’m tackling every room in my house, picking up every item, and asking myself:

Does someone need this to live?

Does this bring true joy?

Would I be okay if this was gone from my life?

3. Meditate every day.

Cartoons may depict meditation as sitting cross-legged, arms outstretched chanting “Hmm, hmm,” but there’s nothing loony about it. Meditation has been around since around 1500 BCE and everyone from Buddhist monks to modern-day moms can use it to de-stress and live each day with more focus and intention.

Meditation takes many forms. Beginners can meditate for a few minutes, then work up to greater lengths of time; some pros can meditate for hours!

For me, I’m striving for ten minutes of meditation daily, mid-day while the baby naps.

4. Positive affirmations…because you can.

Affirmations are positive statements that silence the inner critic that says, “You’re not good enough. That’s too scary to try. Someone else could do it better than you.”

It’s self-talk that can get you out of a slump, get you to try something out of your comfort zone, and realize that you have a ton to offer. This year, incorporate positive affirmations into your daily life. Replace I can’t statements with things like:

I have the creativity it takes to do this.

This is hard, but I can get through it.

I am really good at what I do.

Here’s what I bring to the table.

Allow room for simplicity and positivity this year and you’ll notice a huge difference.

I can’t believe the new year is already upon us! Like most others, I try to come up with a few resolutions that I like to focus on throughout the year. This year I made myself write my resolutions and goals down in a journal and rate them by importance. One goal I really want to follow through on is to be more organized around the house. There is one specific area in my home that I always seem to need to declutter and organize- my bathroom and vanity! Being a girl who is always on the hunt to try the latest and greatest in the makeup and hair world is a lot of fun. But, it also seems like I am always adding so many products to an already overstocked space! I have been searching for some new ways to keep my glam area clean, easily accessible and organized. I have listed some of my favorite new finds below and included some things I have used in the past and have loved. I’ve also found some awesome ideas on Pinterest on how to organize makeup products and styling tools. Between Pinterest and Amazon, I am optimistic this goal will be easy to reach!

This makeup organizer is a new release on Amazon and I am already crushing on it! It can hold up to 12 lipsticks and has 9 different sized drawers. You can also purchase other drawers that are stackable and interlocking, and the clear color is sure to match any bathroom. This is a very reasonable price for all the storage you are getting, and it comes with free shipping!

If you don’t have enough counter space for something as large as the DreamGenius makeup organizer, here is another similar product that is smaller and gets amazing reviews. This organizer also has removable black mesh padding that can be perfect for storing jewelry as well.

I’m in love with this makeup brush holder. Not only is it super pretty and girly looking, but it’s very functional as well. It lets you separate your brushes into 3 sections and has a lid to keep them clean and dust free! The beads and pearls are a bonus that give it an added feminine touch.

This hair styling storage unit is great for keeping all your hair tools organized. It has oversized openings that will fit almost all products, and a heat resistant base that lets your hair tools cool down quickly and safely. It can also be used on the counter, under the cabinet or hung from a towel bar.

If you have extra space on your bathroom counter or makeup vanity, I love using canisters. Not only do I think they look pretty, but they are also functional. I use my canisters for qtips and cotton balls. I love how these are also shown being used for lipstick and chapstick! This set comes with three different sizes and includes lids to keep everything clean. All three canisters are under $13 with free shipping!

If you have limited space on your counter tops for organizing, try finding a bathroom drawer organizer instead. They make it easier to find your products quickly. If you have deep drawers, you can usually stack the organizers on top of one another to gain more space. Plus, most of them are easy to wipe out and keep clean.

When is the last time you went on a date? Sometimes when we are married or have been in a long-term relationship, we tend to think back to the very beginning when someone asks us that question. The phrase date night has always had such a flirty and casual connotation to it, that we often forget how important a part of your relationship it plays. I am guilty of this as well. My husband and I’s relationship is nothing like it was in the beginning. Instead of it just being the two of us getting to know one another and explore all that life has to offer, we now have three beautiful children, careers, a home to maintain and everyday life chores and happenings. It is not uncommon that your relationships evolve and change the longer you are together. Even though I would not trade the comfort and stability we have now for the world, I think it is so important to continue to date each other! Dating gives us a chance to continue to get to know one another (yes, even after all these years), flirt with each other, laugh, be silly and have some much needed us time. It is so essential to have alone time together and stay connected. After all, you built the life you have because of the amazing dates you started with. I’ve listed some of my favorite go to date nights with my hubby below. Surprise your significant other and plan one for them!

Enjoy a Fancy Dinner

What I love about this date night is all the possibilities! A fancy dinner does not necessarily have to be out at an expensive restaurant. You can cook something from your own kitchen. Pinterest is loaded with so many amazing ideas and recipes. I would suggest if you have kiddos, try getting a babysitter for the night so you don’t have any distractions!

Play Some Throwback Music and Chat

Bust out the iPad, stereo, record player, whatever! Find some of your favorite music from when you started dating and jam out together. It’s even more fun if the weather is nice and you can sit on your porch. The music will start to remind you of memories from things in your past and you can reminisce all night long together.

Go On a Walk

Even if the weather is less than perfect, enjoy a walk together. It gives you a chance to get some fresh air, move around and hold hands! If it isn’t a downpour, you can usually dress in whatever you need to and still have an enjoyable and comfortable walk.

Go to Target

Maybe this is a date night geared more towards us ladies? But, why not a target trip with your guy? Target has so many amazing things to check out- it can take hours to look around that store. Grab a Starbucks on your way in and have fun looking at each department together.

Go to The Park

There are so many ways you can enjoy the park as an adult without the little ones. If it’s a nice day; pack a picnic lunch, frisbee and blanket. You can also take your bikes, go on a walk or find a bench and people watch.

Have a Carpet Picnic

If the weather isn’t cooperating enough to have a picnic at the park, try one in your living room! Grab a blanket and some comfy pillows and make yourself a cozy spot. I like to make easy to eat finger foods while we lay and snack. If you set some mood lighting to go with it, it can be a very romantic evening together.

Go to the Farmer’s Market

If you can’t schedule a date night due to schedule conflicts, make it a date morning! Going to the local farmers market can be a fun thing to do with your honey. It gets you out of the house and into the fresh air and is a great excuse to try some amazing food that’s in season while supporting local businesses.

Get Dessert

If you want to stay on a low budget for date night, skip the big meal and go out for dessert. Find a local coffee shop for pastries, a frozen yogurt place or ice cream store. If you are feeling daring, let the other person pick out your dessert without you knowing what it is and surprise each other after you pay.

Go Bowling or Mini Golfing

I don’t know why I always forget about doing these two things unless my kids bring it up. But, these are both things you can do with just the adults. If you want to make it interesting, place a fun bet on who you think is going to win!

Take a Weekend Trip Away

This is a little harder to plan since it costs more money and is more time away from your other responsibilities. But, I do think if you are able to, try to plan a weekend away together once a year. It can be somewhere that you fly to or a drive away. If you want to stay on a lower budget, plan a weekend and have a staycation at home together! Just make sure the entire weekend is dedicated to the two of you!

It’s probably a hot topic of discussion between your girlfriends and it seems that more and more people are trying it—botox. It’s an idea you either love or hate and these days, the number of botox lovers is significantly growing.

Me? I love it so much, I’ll get botox until the day I die and I have no qualms admitting that. Here are a few reasons to give it a try.

Botox: 5 Convincing Reasons To Go for It

1. Prevents wrinkles.

Botox is an injectable form of purified bacterial toxin botulinum that temporarily paralyzes the underlying facial muscles and makes worry lines between the eyebrows, wrinkles on the forehead, and crow’s feet disappear. Botox doesn’t just lessen the appearance of wrinkles, there’s a large body of evidence suggesting that it can prevent them.

Regular Botox works best on wrinkles that haven’t quite set, and it can prevent those deep wrinkles from setting in. A good time to start is between the age of 20 and 30 before those lines deepen.

Personally, I get Botox every four months, approximately 30 units in my forehead and between my eyebrows.

2. Could help your acne.

In addition to its miraculous anti-aging effects, Botox may also help reduce your acne. When it is injected into the skin, Botox works to eliminate large pores and reduce oil production. Of course, you should always consult your dermatologist on the matter.

3. Mood-boosting

We’ve all experienced the feeling of walking out of the salon with a new haircut and style. The same goes with Botox. You won’t notice the wrinkle-erasing effects of Botox right away—it takes a good five to seven days to really see a difference. But once you do, you’ll feel like a new person.

For myself and many Botox users, when you look good, you feel good. It’s a confidence-booster no doubt, but there is also a new thought process, as reported by Elle Magazine that Botox may be a viable method to treat anxiety and depression.

4. It is FDA approved.

As of October 3, 2017, Botox was officially approved by the FDA to treat forehead lines. I have never experienced negative side effects from Botox treatments, other than occasional bruising at the injection site, which goes away in a few days.

One of my biggest recommendations would be to choose an experienced doctor/esthetician! You can read about the spa I go to here. Carrie does all my botox + lip filler and she is phenomenal and is ranked in the top 500 nationally for injections! I recommend her to anyone that can get in to see her and her team.

5. It makes you look younger.

Perhaps the biggest heel-clicking perk to Botox is that it makes you look younger. Looking younger results in feeling younger, which leads to all sorts of fun things like sneaking candy into movie theaters and dancing spontaneously when your jam comes on.

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It may not be for everyone and that’s okay. Personally, I like Botox. I like the results I see and how they make me feel. To each his or her own, but I say if you’ve been toying with the idea of trying Botox, go for it.

Christmas is right around the corner! I know it is a hectic time of the year for everyone and time always seems to go by too fast. My family has so many school activities going on, holiday parties, gift planning/making/buying, etc. Before I know it, the holidays will be behind us and we will be focusing on whatever big thing is happening next in our lives. But, with that in mind I try hard to make myself and my family slow down, so we can enjoy every day this month. Growing up, my family and I had lots of little traditions that we would do for every holiday. Now that I have my own family, I have incorporated some of my old traditions while adding new ones in as well. Since my daughter is older, she can start to remember the traditions we have done in the previous year and really looks forward to doing them again. I love seeing how excited she gets and can’t wait for my boys to join in with her enthusiasm. Creating memories with my husband and children is the most magical and important part of every holiday for me and I look forward to doing it every year. I have shared some of our favorite holiday traditions below. Even though you may already have things you do every year, I like to try to add one new tradition in if we can. It’s fun to get creative as a family and not only enjoy the things we have done before but try new things out together too!

1. Wrap Books for the Month of December

We started this tradition last year and it has already become a family favorite! Find 24 different books to wrap and put under the tree. This way the kids can unwrap one book each night leading up to Christmas. I love getting my children excited to read and having quiet time together every night. If you want to stay on a low budget, don’t forget the dollar store sells books! I’ve also had a lot of luck finding books at garage sales, target and amazon. I also see no reason why you can’t sneak in a few of your favorite books from past years and reuse them!

2. New Pajamas on Christmas Eve

Every year for Christmas Eve, I make up a gift bag for my kiddos to open. It includes a packet of hot cocoa, a favorite snack of theirs, fuzzy Christmas socks and new pajamas. They love getting to open one present early and trying out their new pj’s. I also love being able to take pictures of them that night and the next morning in their cute new outfits. This year I found these adorable socks on amazon for my older two kids.

My family works up a big appetite after opening all their gifts on Christmas morning. I love for us to sit down and have a nice breakfast together, but I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun while I cook. My go to solution has been to make a breakfast casserole the night before. All I need to do it warm it up the next morning! I have saved some of my favorite dishes from the past on my Pinterest page!

Family movie night is another awesome tradition to do every year. We pick a night when we have nothing else going on, get into our pajamas early and set ourselves up in the family room. I like to bring out the kids sleeping bags, pillows and tons of blankets. We make the room as cozy as can be and snuggle up together. We usually watch two movies that my oldest children get to pick out.

5. Appetizers Only for Dinner

The holidays are so busy, sometimes I just don’t feel like cooking a big meal. Luckily for me, appetizers only for dinner is very popular at my house. We always take one night (maybe two nights if we are super busy) and have easy to make appetizers for dinner. I let everyone pick one thing they want me to make and then we create a buffet style dinner on our kitchen island. It’s fun and casual, and the kids always love doing it.

6. Ugly Christmas Sweater Photo

Each year we go on the hunt for ugly Christmas sweaters. If we are unable to find them in a store for a reasonable price, we look for amazing sales on sweaters and then turn them into crazy, silly and ugly sweaters at home! After we have completed or found are sweaters, we always take family photos using our best silly faces! I found these sweaters for men/women on amazon this year and they are one of their best sellers. They certainly meet the criteria we were looking for!

I think it is important to teach my children how to give back to people, especially those who are less fortunate than we are. I try to find a way to help a family or child in our area every year. If you check with your child’s school, local church or supermarket, there is usually information on what you can do to help someone. Sometimes you can donate a bag of food to the local food bank, get a child in need gloves or socks, or help serve a meal at a nearby shelter. I am always a proud Mama when I see how much my children love to help others. I hope these are values they will hold onto for the rest of their lives.

8. Host a Cookie Exchange

Hosting a cookie exchange can be messy and crazy, but so much fun! My family and I take turns hosting every year and bring the kiddos with us. Each adult is responsible for bringing all the ingredients for a different cookie than the others are making. At the end we all share! It is a great way to spend the day together and get to enjoy a bunch of different types of cookies without having to make them all yourself.

9. Craft Night While Jammin’ Out

We love doing crafts in my house. Pinterest is loaded again with so many different craft ideas for kids. A bonus of doing crafts at the holidays are the kids love to give their finished products away as presents! While we craft we like to sip on hot chocolate and crank the radio up to our favorite holiday tunes. Amazon has some good deals on supplies for our crafts. I’ve linked some of our favorite go to goodies below.

In our house, it does not feel like Christmas time until we have written a letter to Santa! The kids really like it when my husband and I also write letters to Santa and ask for things we want this year. After everyone is done writing their letters, we like to “mail” them out. Our local Macy’s has a mailbox set up every year for letters to Santa. The kids love taking a trip and sending them on their way to Santa!

11. Try a New Flavor Candy Cane

Has anyone else noticed all the different flavors that candy canes come in now? Gone are the days of simple peppermint. This is a tradition that my family and I decided to start this year. There are so many different flavors to choose from ranging from bacon to wasabi.Obviously, I’m more excited to try some than others. Amazon has a great selection on so many different flavors. I linked some I am contemplating on trying this year below!

Another favorite tradition that I have been doing since I was a little girl is checking out the neighborhood Christmas lights. This is such a fun and low-key tradition to do. If the weather isn’t too cold, we bundle up and go on a walk around the neighborhood. It’s also fun to take a drive during the night and check out surrounding neighborhoods too!